38. Thirty-Eight

Val

It’s Monday, and I spent most of Sunday looking up information about ReConstruct.

Chase suggested I hire Jaxson and his team to look into the company’s finances and bank records. I called Jaxson from the parking lot before I entered the building, so I’m running a little late.

When I enter our department I find Ellen waiting for me in my office.

“Uh oh, are you here with good news or bad news?”

“You decide. Here are the projected sales from the third-party company. They re-ran the numbers based on the new marketing and pricing plan.”

I carefully put down my briefcase, sit down, and only then do I pick up the file in front of me.

I quickly skim through their findings. Then I look up with a beaming smile.

“Let’s get these over to Knight Security.”

“Already done.”

After Ellen leaves, I lean back in my chair and just sit there with a smile on my face for a few minutes until I get a text from Chase.

‘I bet you’re smiling!’ With a smiley face emoji. My response is just a row of more smiley emojis. Then, before I really think about it, I send a big red beating heart emoji. I hit send.

I look down at the text. Should I have sent that heart? What will Chase think when he sees it? Can I delete it? Darn it. Why did I do that?

“Val, could you come here for a minute? There’s a question about the marketing mock-up ads.”

“Um... Sure.”

About an hour later, we send feedback to the marketing team to change some of the mockups.

When I get back to my office, I check to see if there’s a response back from Chase. Still nothing. Maybe he didn’t even notice the red heart. If he did, I’m sure he’ll think I meant I love the report. Right?

I lean back in my chair again, and my thoughts turn to Chase.

This morning, he woke me up with a kiss on my neck. I was snuggled up against him with my back to his chest. He had his arm around my waist, and then I felt his hand cup my breast.

I was still half asleep as he lifted my leg and slid into me from behind. He made slow, sweet love to me. I was fully awake by the time I finally climaxed in his arms. Was it making love for him or just sex?

When did I fall in love with Chase?

I can’t remember the exact moment.

Was it the first time I looked up and saw he was my new neighbor?

Was it the time my car had a flat tire, and he insisted on changing it? That’s the first time we shared a meal. I offered to fix him an authentic Italian dish as a thank you.

After that, we started eating the occasional dinner together. Next, we joined forces to fix up the backyard. That’s when we became best friends. We talked about anything and everything while we worked fixing it up— We still do.

I remember the first night he had a girl stay over. Other girls followed. It bothered me until I realized it was always a different girl. I valued his friendship and decided to be content with that and never looked back.

Until I turned twenty-four and a half, as the deadline for my inheritance drew closer. I resolutely decided to settle for Tony since he was the only guy who seemed even remotely interested in me.

But would I have gone through with it?

The day before my wedding, Chase left a voicemail that he would be home around midnight.

Was that the real reason I went to talk to Tony at the church? Was it because I couldn’t marry one man while my heart belonged to another?

I suddenly sit up straight as the truth hits me, but does it really change anything?

Friends with benefits, I think it’s called.

My desk phone rings, startling me out of my thoughts.

“Hi, Sue. No, not that I know of. Really? No, no. Thank you for the heads up. Can you call me back when you know what time? Thanks.”

I call Ellen into my office.

“Ellen, Sue just called me. She had someone ask about an emergency board meeting this Friday. She wanted to know if I could confirm the time,” I give Ellen a direct look, “I was not told there would be an emergency board meeting.”

“But you’re a member of the board, soon the controlling member of the board.”

I nod grimly. “I get the feeling I’m being set up.”

“Val, do you have any idea what it could be about?”

“I’m guessing our imaging software. My uncle doesn’t know that I know our major buyer backed out. He also doesn’t know about Knight Security and our new strategy.”

“Can we be ready by this Friday?”

“We’ll have to be.”

“You say that, but Val, you seem awfully tired lately. Are you coming down with something?”

“No, I feel fine. I’ve just been busy.”

“What about Knight Security? We haven’t heard back yet.”

“It’s only been a few hours; I’m confident that we will.”

We both look down as my desk phone begins to ring.

“Hello.”

“Val, It’s Carson. I just looked over the new projections. I’m ready to commit to the deal. We’ll just need to hash out the finer details.”

“That’s wonderful, Carson. I already asked our attorney to write up a preliminary agreement. Why don’t I have them send it over so you and your attorney can look it over? Would it be possible to have everyone involved meet on Thursday and negotiate the details?”

“Yes, that works. Let’s meet here around ten o’clock.”

“Great. And Carson, thanks again.”

I hang up the phone, it rings again, and it’s Sue. “Friday’s meeting is at ten o’clock that morning.”

“Thank you, Sue. I owe you one.”

“You know I’ve got your back.”

I look up at Ellen. “Hopefully, we’ll have a signed contract by Friday morning.”

“And if you don’t?”

“If we don’t, I’ll ask Carson to sign a formal letter of intent. That should satisfy the board.”

Chase gives me a call on my cell phone.

“Hey Val, I called to let you know that I’ll be working the night shift tonight and possibly through the rest of the week.”

“I understand. Is everything alright? You sound— stressed,” I picture Chase running his hand through his hair.

“Stressed? Nah, I’m fine. Hawkins has the flu, and I’ll be covering for him,”

“No problem. I’m going to be very busy this week as well, anyway.”

“Carson told me about the meeting on Thursday. I’ll try to be there.”

“Good. I can use all the support I can get,” I smile into the phone. I want Chase there with me.

“Val, you’ve got a winning software. You’ve believed in it from day one. Everything’s going to be fine. I’ve got to go. Call me if you need me. Okay?”

“Will do. Thanks, Chase.”